Scribe found dead under mysterious circumstances

A city-based journalist has been found dead under mysterious circumstances. HT reports.

A city-based journalist has been found dead under mysterious circumstances.

The body of Narendra Bhati, 50, was found outside his Hyundai Accent car in Sector 8 on Monday night, police said.

Bhati, who earlier worked for Deshbandhu and Shah Times newspapers, brought out a weekly in Noida.

According to police, preliminary investigations have suggested that it might be a case of "natural death".

"Bhati, who also ran a security agency, reached a factory in Sector 8 and called a guard. Soon, he fell unconscious with froth coming out of his mouth," said a police officer. Bhati was rushed to the Kailash Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

All possible angles are being probed, said the officer.

However, family members of the deceased have alleged that Bhati was poisoned. The local unit of Uttar Pradesh Journalist Association (UPJA) has suspected foul play and decided to meet the district magistrate for an impartial probe.

Bhati was known for investigative journalism. He wrote extensively about illegal sand mining and land mafia.

"We will meet the SSP and the DM on Wednesday and demand a high-level inquiry into Bhati's death," Noida Press Club president Mohammad

Azad said. The autopsy report has ruled out any external or internal injury, but has failed to ascertain the cause of death.